The end of May...

ONLY ONE MORE DAY LEFT IN MAY! And let me tell you, it's been a great month! Still haven't found an acceptable scale, but I feel better than I did at the first of the month! Anna asked me whether or not I have made made a "lifestyle" change, and I believe I have. Not eating dessert has become a lot easier. And I've had PLENTY of opportunity. And I feel like I've gotten better with snacking and keeping track of how much I eat and making healthier things to eat. And I definitely eat out differently as well, aiming for the healthier options from "Eat This, Not That".

In other news, IT'S THE WEEKEND! I'm so excited, tonight I have a date that was planned months ago with my friend Sarah! (She works at Evangel with Drew and Brian) We're going to see Sex in the City and I'm so excited. It's the girliest of girl flicks, even though some of it is a bit scandalous, I find it COMICAL. The reality of how they live is slightly far fetched (and by slightly I mean I KNOW people in Manhattan actually lead lives like this occassionally...) but it's the classic girl int he big city living her dreams and looking for Mr. Right with her bff's by her side; what more could I ask for?! Ha ha ha.

So yesterday I got a coverage...I WAS THE GYM TEACHER! And best of all, it was outside because the weather was nice! It was so much fun, we played hot potato and I sang all these stupid songs for it (Old McDonald, The Itsy Bitsy Spider, The Wheels on the Bus, Apples and Bananas, and Mary Had a Little Lamb), relay races, in the middle, spud, what a good time. I got a good tan too. I'm darker than I have ever been at this time of the year just from running and walking around.

So this weekend Brian is moving, another work out in itself. And ALEX IS BACK FROM CHINA! YEA! I'm really excited to see him and Jodi tomorrow night (This pic is from the day he left in September). Sidenote: Does anyone watch Lost?! This is sheer craziness right now!!! So many theories, I still have to watch the other season besides this one!

Alright off to finish my second book of the week...first one was "Between Sundays" by Karon Kingsbury, very very good, and the second is "The Secret Between Us" by Barbara Delinksy, it's pretty good but I REALLY liked her book "Family Tree", it was SO interesting, get it and read it.

As I say to my kids, HAVE A *FABULOUS* WEEKEND!

It's getting hot in here...

HOLY HANNAH IT'S HOT!!! (I want to give a shout out to Jodi Zimmerman for the Holy Hannah statement.) Yea, so I think I'm just not used to it yet, but today I was like an overheated engine, there was nothing to give me relief! I ran the mile to the gym, which I had to stop TWICE during to catch my breath (Humidity was at 100%) and ran a mile at the gym, did an hour of weights and ran back. The run back was better because it was about to rain so the sky was ominously dark and windy, which worked to my advantage.

I ran 5 miles on Sunday, and the same thing happened: I had such a hard time! I hope I can get used to the hot weather and running outside, I love it so much, but I don't do it till about 3:30, and that's still a pretty hot time. Thankfully it's going to cool down a bit for a couple of days. I just need to up my water intake even MORE (I drink about 5-8 poland spring size bottles a day at work alone, not counting afterward which is even more!)

Alright, the *May*keover is almost complete, I'm feeling pretty good but I haven't gone on a digital scale and don't trust the stupid gym scale. We'll see if I can find one....but I have stayed dessert free all month until tonight at a friend's dinner which I was invited to which I was requested to bring a DESSERT for! AH! So, in the end, I decided to make this super healthy super yummy dessert. I didn't take a pic, but you get the idea. It's supposed to be a fourth of July cake, so I'll write it out like that:

What you'll need:
Strawberries
Blueberries
Fat-free sugar free cool whip (Can be regular)
fat free sugar free angel food cake (Can be regular)

1. Slice the angel food cake about 1-2 inches thick and place it sideways into a baking dish (Like a 9x13)
2. Take tops off strawberries then cut them into halves
3. Spread cool whip over the cake (Might need more than one container if you like lots of it!)
4. Put the blueberries neatly in the corner forming a square to be the "stars" of the American flag
5. Place the strawberries horizontally to be the strips of the flag

Or you could just be like me tonight and throw the berries all over the thing! Anyway, if you get the idea, it took me 10 minutes to put together and the ENTIRE thing was gone in 10 minutes everyone loves this (Men included) And it has virtually no fat and calories, perfect as a hot humid summer day dessert! Good luck!

Work out blues...

So, it's been HORRIBLE weather. Well, not exactly. It's been TEASING me. I wake up to a bright smiling blue sky, full of hope and promise, and right around my lunch time it goes downhill, and when I'm supposed to leave school for the day it gets even worse! Without fail. It's very sad. And these past two days I've been busy so I haven't been able to work out. These are my two days off I guess. But tomorrow is supposed to rain as well! I hate it. Maybe I have that condition where my mood is effected by the rain...nah. I just feel lathargic just like everyone else. I'll just bite the bullet and run on the treadmill tomorrow. :-( If it could just not rain for when I want to run, it would make my life so much better. Hopefully I'll hit up 6 miles today, and a big bulk this weekend. I had a 17 mile week last week, and I really want to at least match it this week.



So. I have a student named Fan. He loves the Mets. I love the Yankees. So he teases me if they lose etc. So I have been calling him "Met Fan"....He's been calling me Ms. Yankees! Ha I can't get enough o fit. So funny.



I had to test the kindergarten SPECIAL ed kids today...it reaffirmed why I didn't go into special ed. I love them, but I know my patience would wear thin quickly. There is just no reasoning with them, once they have their mind set on something, that's it. One kid told me his hand was cut and he needed a band aid; it was not cut, no need for a band aid, but he wouldn't calm down because he was convinced he needed to go to the hospital. Very sad. Very heartbreaking.



I start summer school (college) in June...it's looming! I'm going to be so tired. EW. NO ME GUSTA! But if I can knock out a course in a month, I might as well bite the bullet. Thankfully I figured everything out today for it, so it's a big weight off my shoulders.

Back to school to prove to dad that I'm not a fool...

So it's another Monday. I had an amazing weekend, nothing spectacular, just plain nice. Friday night I visited a friend who made dinner and it was stupdendous. Then Saturday I worked at the restaurant and it was great to see all my friends. That night Brian and I went to dinner with our friends Drew and Sarah in Little Italy, and let me tell you, we're going to spend a lot of time down there in the summer! It was so nice, I never thought to go down there so late (9pm for dinner) but it was FUN! Sunday went had church and spent the rest of the day lounging and reading. Ha I had too many bananas which I thought were not ripe (Turns out they were prematurely browning...) so I thought, hmmm, I'll make banana pancakes! The whole time I sang the Jack Johnson song. I'm such a nerd. And adding cinnamon to the batter was a fabulous addition.

I am now GRADING tests for the NYSESLAT test. No biggy. Got called into the principal's office to discuss my preference sheet (Meaning what I would prefer to teach next year, what grade etc), and I was SO nervous! For absolutely no reason whatsoever. I just feel like my wonderful school is going to kick me out for having no experience :-) Trying to get over my fear.

My pastor made a great suggestion yesterday. He said so many people claim they're such prayers, but when you look at your life not a whole lot of time is donated to prayer. So he suggested focusing and praying for 10 minutes a day - 5 min in the morning, and 5 min at night. And I'm starting that today. Good suggestion. And I'm really excited because I've copied and pasted the Bible into my ipod (so far just Ephesians!) and it's a WAY more accessible way for me to read my Bible! Even if I have a book, I really hate reading it in the morning, I just want to relax, so I've been pounding out just a chapter or two and really trying to remember it, because that's what works for me. Some read a ton, some just one verse, I read two chapters or so. It's calming and really helps me get my mind right for the day at hand.

Working out today was TOUGH! I was tired, well, my body is just tired and sluggish today, so I forced it to act! :-) Only ran three miles but did a lot with weights. I can't do a long run inside, it has to be outside (A goal spot, turn around and run back etc...) so when it's questionable weather I only do about 3 miles. It's dissappointing but I'll try for more tomorrow. Last week was a 17 mile week! I tried to wake up Sunday to run but I kept falling back to sleep :-( So I'm way behind in running! GAH!

We'll see what this week holds...

Another bridge, different story...

SO, instead of running over the bridge into the waiting arms of a prison, I instead chose to go on the 59th st bridge which I KNOW drops me into Manhattan! :-) So, I ran for 1 hr 14 minutes, I know I know, slow runner, but the bridge was a tough incline and I was fighting through my allergies and crosswalks. . I can't really clock it because I took some one way's etc, but I want to say it was over 5 miles, maybe not quite 6....sad because I wanted to go for 6! Another day, another dream...

FREE ICED COFFEE DAY! At Dunkin Donuts! Yea! It was nice to not have to pay. But it was a small so I got a small hot too (hot feels better on my scratchy throat!).

Cute story: A new student arrived from China named Rory. Rory is a little intriguing because he understands some things in English, but I don't think he has ever been in a school setting, and therefore sitting with his hands folded, not putting things in his mouth like his pencil or his backpack, may be a foreign thought to him. I've been teaching him this week how to "fold his hands" and my name...it's so sad, but I feel like I'm talking to a dog. "Rory, sit." I show him how to sit, and he sits. "Rory, stand up....Rory, open the door....Rory, get the pencil out of your nose..." and I have to act it out and say it over and over. But my cute story is this. When I asked him to fold his hands, I didn't show him how, and he did it! And then I said, "What is my name Rory?" "Miss Mac." He replied...awwwww! My heart melted even though he proceeded to put his backpack handle into his mouth to hold it (kinda like a dog...hmmm...) ANYWAY! A lot of my Chinese students have trouble pronouncing the letter "r" because it doesn't exist in their language. WELL, why did his parents name him RoRy!? I ask him his name and he says, "Loly." Too cute. But in all seriousness, the boy needs to say his name correctly!

TGIF. I'm hanging with an old friend tomorrow night, seeing Prince Caspian (!) after work on Saturday, Sunday is just going to be church and that's it!!!

Allergies!

Ugh I can't even begin to explain the TORMENT I have been experiencing! I have never had allergies before, and have always been sympathetic to those who suffer, but alas, I am now a sufferer :-( I've still be running though - with cough drops and tissues! My body is fine it's just that my nose is a faucet and my throat sandpaper, so I can't use it as an excuse to not work out (Before the *May*keover I would've used it as an excuse!!!).

My appetite has been non-existent during this sickness, which some would see as a good thing. Then the though occurred to me: What if I don't take in enough calories? It's possible! I was reading up on losing "water weight" last night (http://body.aol.com/diet/weight-loss-program/lose-water-weight?icid=100214839x1202122421x1200075643) and stumbled upon your calorie intake, how much you should have etc. NOW, what I did NOT agree with was the weight calculator nor the BMI (Body Mass Index) calculator. First of all, I had that done at the gym and I was a 21 (women should be between 18-24), according to the calculator I was over 23, which goes to show you that this sort of thing can't be done on computers because it doesn't account for muscle. Hence my annoyance with the weight calculator...as a 5'2" woman, it says I should weigh 110lbs. WHAT?! Yea right. I haven't weighed that since the BEGINNING of middle school, not even at the end!!! Ha ha. The calorie story and the water weight one was great, but those calculators were odd. Although calculating how many calories you burn and you need etc were helpful.

Still testing. Sigh. I drink probably 10-12 poland spring bottles of water/day because when I test I have to speak, give directions, ask the questions, etc. So, needless to say, with barely having a voice and talking nonstop I have to get some relief! I think that may also be the appetite supressant - I'd rather drink something than eat something at this point.

In other news, I carried 8 different drinks from Dunkin Donuts today. What had started as one teacher having me pick up a coffee when I go on lunch today turned into 8! Ha it was fun though, made me remember my serving days!!! Speaking of which, I'm working Saturday at the restaurant, I totally enjoy it more when it's not my main source of income!

Brian told me about a sermon he heard Sunday up in Rochester: Everyday we should identify a challenge, a blessing, and an encouragment, to keep us thankful. I guess the pastor went around with a camera and each day took a picture of each of these three things! But I've been trying to do that. I'll keep you posted.

This week my permanent challenge is being sick!!!

Running in New York City...

So, I did the post about running in Connecticut. Now I will relate Running in NYC.

- Running on sidewalks filled with people everywhere is more challenging!
- People are always eating on the sidewalks, which also makes me laugh.
- I decided to do a 5 mile run; to the Triborough Bridge and back.
- As I run over the bridge I'm thinking, "Wow, it is so nice outside!"
- There is a gorgeous view of Manhattan from this bridge
- I'm running over a rive. I love running near any sort of water.

So, those are some of the great things about running in NYC. However, my run ended in a weird way. As I'm running over the bridge I'm coming to the end (This is the first time I've run over the bridge...) of the bridge, almost ready to turn around and head back, and I start to look around. Hmmm. Why is there barbed wire over that fence to my left? Hmmm, is that a set of projects to my right?! Yes, ladies and gents, I ran onto Rikers Island. I didn't realize that's where the trail went, and I wondered why no one was running on such a nice day. Needless to say, I ran as fast as I could back across the bridge.

So, the moral of this story, is not to run anywhere, especially alone, if you don't know what's on the other side! :-)

5 miles went well. It takes me a while because there are hills and I get stuck at cross walks, but I felt great to finally break that threshold again. Keep going!!! If you're doing the *May*keover, continue! This weekend was tough with all the desserts, but I kept strong... :-)

Ps. Don't tell my parents about the bridge!

Running in Connecticut

Here is why I love running in Connecticut:

• The sound of my feet pounding on the pavement can actually be heard. In the city, it is drowned out my cars and trains and people everywhere.
• Smelling fresh cut grass. (No, not the Yankee Candle scent) I can't tell you how many people were cutting their grass today. It was glorious.
• Sprinklers: Need I say more?! Ok I will. Going through them during running is instantly cooling. Amazing.
• People actually say hello. Not in a crazy (cat) stalker kind of way. Just a generally nice nod of the head or actual verbal hello. So homey. So polite. In the city, I get told how hot I am, eyebrow raises and verbal assualts I will not repeat. (These would be all men. Gross.)
• I don't need music here! I used to because I didn't appreciate the silence. It's so calming and peaceful, hearing just one car pass by and not hundreds!

Well, 4 miles later, I felt I could go forever. But I stopped because my throat has been KILLING me, which I believe is either allergies or laryngitis (sp?) AGAIN, but we'll go with allergies because everyone's allergies have been acting up. But I've been fighting through it and running still, even though I took off Wednesday (Yankee game) and Thursday (Felt like CRAP!).

Being home presents its own challenges!!! I want ICE CREAM! My friend is graduating from Uconn (what what!) and there is an invite for cake....GAH! COFFEE PLEASE! I'm so glad to read that Sarah ran three miles! Keep up the good work! My friends from NYC have been really committed to the *May*keover, but let me say, it's been hard when, during testing, the ladies bring candy and cookies and chocolate and always offer me some!

Goal pants. I have some. I wore them last night. They felt GREAT! I wore them a month and a half ago and was so depressed because they were tight and gave me a "muffin top" (Sorry for the visual if it happened!). But yesterday I tried them on and they felt wayyyyyyyy better!

HAPPY MOTHERS DAY TO ALL THE MOTHERS!!!

Testing Tuesday

*delayed posting was too busy and internet was on the fritz*

AHHHH all I do is test! test this test that for the past month! And I still have probably 2 weeks left of this blasted testing!

PHEW, glad we got that out of the way. I did a 5 mile run yesterday; I like to break it up, so I do 3 miles outside (for the tan) and 2 miles inside on a treadmill at my gym. Sarah asked if running 5 miles is hard to do. Well, yes. But after you do it once, you know you can do it again! I had a pretty good run yesterday, it was really hot and sunny which always makes me happy! I've run in 30 degree weather, NO FUN! My only frustration is that I get stuck at major intersections and the crossing sign takes forever to change, and therefore I'm stuck there for 2 minutes running in place! So I don't really have a good guage at how fast I am. I'd like to say it takes me a little under and hour to run 5 miles (For my 5 mile race last October my time was 52:14)


Here are some hints on running:

- SET A GOAL: If I'm running outside, I run to a place so that, when I run back, it'll equal the mileage I want to run. (i.e. if I want to run 3 miles, I run the 1 mile to the gym, 1 mile at the gym, and 1 mile back to my place.) Training for a race is also a good way to stay on track.


- BACK PROBLEMS: Not too sure about this. Stretching before always helps. A wise person once said, you run for about half a mile, stop, stretch, and run the rest of the way. Stretch after as well. Sometimes weight training can strain your back, as well as improper crunches.


-FIGURE OUT WHAT WORKS: I run with music. That's my thing. Some like it, some don't. If you don't like running alone, try doing it with a partner. I like to think when I run, or pray, and it helps my mind stay disctracted that I'm totally hurting!!!


- DON'T OVERDO IT: If you're tired, rest. As Jenn C wisely said, "Don't be stupid, if you're exhausted take a break." If I find myself in that situation, that I'm totally tired, I make myself walk somewhere. Walking is still exercise despite popular belief!

Since I wrote this post yesterday, I did a three mile run at the gym which was good. Today is an off day - going to a yankee game!!!

Just another Monday Manic...

Yes, I know the words to the song. And no, I did not write that incorrectly! So it's beautiful out. Pristine is a word I'd like to label the weather as. Not too hot, not cold, a slight breeze, perfect blue sky. So it's logical that I would go outside and eat my lunch in the park across the street from my school.

As I sit down, someone comes and sits next to me and says hello. I imagine it's someone from school, because she looks like someone who works here that I don't know very well, but realize the visor is a dead give away that it's not that person. The following is the account, word for word, of our conversation that I DID NOT want to have. MM stands for Monday Manic, and K stands for me.

MM: (Sits down next to me on a bench while I start eating my lunch.) "Nice park."
K: "Yes it is. The kids like it."
MM: "The Mets are at an away game tonight. In Arizona. Arizona is far."
K: "Oh really? That's nice." (Sadly I knew that already...the boyfriend...need I say more?!)
MM: "Do you want a cupcake? We can split it." (Offers me a hostess cupcake...*MAY*KEOVER!)
K: "No thank you I don't eat chocolate." (It's kinda true!)
MM: "I have a cat."
K: (Thought: why am I not surprised?) "That's nice."
Sidenote: I am reading a book barely looking up, trying to give the hint that I don't care. Not working.
MM: "His name is Beow like Meow."
K: "That's a nice name." Continue reading...
MM: "Meow Meow, that's what he does. Meow. You're cute. You're a cute girl. Beow is cute. Meow."
K: "Oh."
Sidenote: This officially just got weird.
MM: "I'm going to a Met's game in Washington this month. It's far away. Washington is far away."
K: "Yes it is."
MM: "Meow. Meow. Do you like cats?"
K: "No."
MM: "Oh I thought you liked cats. You're cute like a cat. Cute girl. Cute girl. Meow."
K: "No I like dogs."
MM: "I'm a witness. I'm a Jehovah's witness. We're going to Paradise. I'm a witness. I'm going to the 7 train. I'm going to Queens Center Mall. I live in Belleview. Nice place. Meow I love my cat."
K: "Alright I have to go now, nice talking to you."
MM: "Oh you're leaving? Why?"
K: (Thought: Is this candid camera?) "My break is over." Polite smile, and extra quick steps to walk away.

The End.

CRAZY right?! Why do the crazies flock to me?

*May*keover has been good over the weekend. Did some good workouts, got some sun (sun burn over HALF my body in fact...and no I don't mean just my legs or just my arms, I mean my RIGHT SIDE...I was doing paperwork while tanning, apparently my binder's shadow is bigger than I thought....) I want to do a long run today, 4-5 miles. Wish me luck!

It takes 21 days to form a habit...

SO, it's day 3 of healthier living and boy am I glad...ha ha ha. I had my last college class of the semester today and my teacher brought breakfast...bagels....and someone brought these AMAZING bars, kinda like cookie bars, and I almost refused because I thought they were cookies (Once I make one slip I'll freefall downhill!) So I ate around the chocolates. THANK GOD.

Working out has been tough - Brian is working with me and pushing me. I didn't realize how lazy I was when someone tried to motivate me. I usually work out alone and make deals with myself (Ok stop at 4 miles...ok just 20 more crunches...) but it's different when someone else is determining how much you should do! I'm sore all over. And loving it.

Is anyone else out there trying to live a healthier life? It's truly freeing. I know it's a lot to take on, so totally modify it for yourself (Anna, you baby mama! Keep Austin looking "healthy" ha ha!), but one or two changes in your lifestyle can really make a difference.

Topic of the day: drinks. Drinks are a HUGE killer of any diet. Why is that? Because we don't think of them as calories or fat. Yea, they may be fat free, but sugar and calories cling to your body. Think about juice for instance. 100 calories per serving, and serving sizes are usually only one cup! I'd bet that if I didn't think about it, I'd use 800 calories on drinks alone everyday! Juices are not the only vice. Coffee is great, but add sugar or get a grande white chocolate mocha and good luck. That could be about 400-500 calories! It's nuts! Alcoholic drinks are even worse. Clear drinks are the way to go. Hint hint, if a beer has a "lite" version, that means the original is NOT so lite! The book I mentioned, "Eat This Not That", details what's ok and not ok. Corona is apparently one of the worst beers for you...can you imagine how many coronas I sell at my restaurant!? It's so popular and about 150 calories per bottle. That's a TON. This is all inspiring me to make sure I am more conscious about what I put into my body.

Off to the gym...

*May*keover

Alright folks, I've been talking about it to some of you, so here it is!

Tired of those extra winter pounds? Want to wake up from hibernation? Think your life could get a little healthier? Then this is the blog for you!

The *May*keover is a plan I have devised to get in shape for the summer months during the month of May. Getting into better shape is the best thing you can do BEFORE summer, not during!!! By the time you get to where you want to be, bathing suit season is over and you're throwing on sweatshirts! Follow these rules and we will join each other in blogland to track results!

Rule 1: Get the book "Eat This, Not That" it revolutionized eating out and grocery shopping for me, it's a small book, full of color pictures, listing the best things to eat from restaurants to the grocery store, to Starbucks and holidays!

Rule 2: DON'T EAT FAST FOOD. Avoid eating fast food at all costs. Pack a lunch. It'll save you time and money.

Rule 3: No sweets except fruit. Start putting down the ice cream and make yourself a smoothie! The best is nonfat yogurt, strawberries and bananas!

Rule 4: EXERCISE. If you already do, step up your workouts. Include a variety of weights and cardio. HAVE AN ACCOUNTABILITY PARTNER: it doesn't have to be someone you actually work out with. I'm not a codependent runner or exerciser, but when I know I have to text someone to tell them how much I ran etc, it makes me motivated to get it done and do more!

Rule 5: Take the stairs. Avoid elevators and escalators. Walk and bike where you can.

Rule 6: Add COLOR to your meals. Make sure there is a healthy serving of vegtables and fruits consistently in your diet.

Rule 7: No alcohol. For those of you who swing that way, the calories are crazy! That's where the "freshman 15" originated.

Rule 8: Drink water and tea. Coffee is definitely allowed, but watch out for the milk based drinks and adding tons of sugar. Juices and soda can really hurt your diet as well. Diet is the way to go!

Alright boys and girls, anything else you can think of, suggest it. I've started as of yesterday but couldn't get the blog up till today.

Get ready for your *May*keover!!!